A line drive off James Paxton’s left arm forces him out of Mariners’ game vs. the A’s in the first inning

Originally published August 14, 2018 at 7:33 pm
Updated August 14, 2018 at 11:04 pm

Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton, left, is escorted off the field after being hit by a ball in the first inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (Ben Margot / The Associated Press)

Paxton was replaced by Felix Hernandez, who made his first relief appearance in his big league career.

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OAKLAND, Calif. — James Paxton’s start on Tuesday night against the A’s ended just three batters into the game with his left arm aching in pain.

Given a 1-0 lead before taking the mound in the bottom of the first, Paxton gave up a solo homer to Marcus Semien and then struck out Matt Chapman. After falling behind 2-0 in the count to No. 3 hitter Jed Lowrie, Paxton came back with a 94-mph fastball for a called strike. He followed that strike with another 94-mph fastball and Lowrie was ready for it, sending a line drive back at the mound. Paxton couldn’t catch it or avoid it. The ball struck him on the left arm, near his elbow. Paxton was in obvious pain.

Athletic trainer Matt Toth and manager Scott Servais immediately came on the field to check on him. After a brief conversation, Paxton exited the game with Toth.

He suffered a similar injury on Aug. 7, 2016 vs. the Angels when Andrelton Simmons hit a line drive off his left bicep. It forced him to go on the 10-day disabled list. He returned from the DL on August 26.

Paxton was replaced by Felix Hernandez, who is now the team’s long reliever. It was Hernandez’s first relief appearance of his big league career. Hernandez walked the first batter he faced, but they got an inning-ending double play to keep the damage to just one run in the inning. Expect Hernandez to take Paxton’s spot in the rotation, for now.

Ryan Divish: 206-464-2373 or rdivish@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @RyanDivish. Ryan Divish covers the Mariners and offers his perspective all season. He gives his inside look at Major League Baseball and power rankings every Sunday.